Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Oh, it’s going good. Nana still won’t smoke around the baby. Hey, Nana, did you ever put out a cigarette when I was around?”
“Not once. You were never this cute.”
Saul laughs. “She’s right, babe. Little Dante is adorable.”
I beam at him. “You’re lucky I’m all hopped up on mommy-endorphins and in love with that stupid baby or else I’d smack you around for suggesting there’s anyone cuter than me.”
“You’re the most adorable mother in the whole world. How’s that?”
“Just mother?” I squint at him. “Looks like someone needs an ass kicking.”
He laughs and Jason calls for him to get back in the living room, their game’s starting soon. Saul kisses me and departs for some hang time with my brother. I leave Dante with Nana and follow him, hanging on the periphery of their gaming session and not saying much, just letting myself get some much-needed peaceful time without meeting any demands.
We do this almost every day. First a few hours at the Rossi house, then a few hours in the evenings here. I have so much family in my life it’s almost overwhelming, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, and I can tell that Saul’s happier than he’s ever been.
“Damn, kicked your ass again,” my husband gloats as he tosses the controller aside and gets up. “Gonna use epilepsy as an excuse again?”
“I really did have a seizure last time,” Jason grumbles, but flashes Saul a cocky smirk. “Same shit tomorrow? I’m going to practice tonight.”
“Good luck with that, bro. I’ll be here, and I’ll be winning.” He walks over to me and drags me away from the living room. We pause to poke our heads into the kitchen to make sure Dante’s fine with Nana and she sends us away with an annoyed and fairly rude gesture. We end up in the extra bedroom sitting with our backs against the headboard on top of the comforter, my head on his shoulder, his arm hugging me tight.
“This is nice,” I say with a long sigh. “No crying baby. No whining little brother.”
“No mafia dickheads making my life miserable.”
My eyelids flutter. I’m so freaking tired I could scream. Saul’s been taking night feedings, and he keeps offering to get a nurse, but I refuse. Just feels wrong and, apparently, I like to make myself suffer. I suspect after the second, I’ll be begging for that stinking nurse.
Right now, I want to do it the way everyone else has to do it.
“Oh, shoot, I just remembered.” I sit up suddenly and put both my hands on his chest. “I got you a present. I guess it’s like a push present?”
“I didn’t push.”
“You stood by and rooted me on.” I pat his face and pinch his cheek. “You were so adorable, looking like you were going to pass out.”
“I wasn’t going to pass out,” he grumbles, swatting me away. “Just worried about you and the baby, is all.”
“You worry too much then.” I hop off the bed. Honestly, I can’t blame him for being a little on edge—the birth was not easy. It was a solid six hours, which isn’t too bad, or so my doctor tells me. She can have contractions and try to shove a baby out for six freaking hours if she thinks it’s so freaking easy.
I hurry over to the closet and dig around until I find the box I hid a few days ago. I had it sent here because Saul opens everything that shows up the second it lands on the stoop whether it has his name on it or not—the guy’s obsessed with freaking packages.
“You really got me a present?” he says, sounding amused. And fair enough, I don’t buy him stuff very often. He’s one of those annoying people with too much money and perfect taste, which means he has everything he wants.
“Well, I used your money, so you got yourself a present. You’re welcome? Also thank you?” I turn around and walk over with it hidden behind my back. “It was kind of expensive, but it’s important that I give it to you.”
“Now I’m very curious.” He sits up straight, amused by my stupid antics. “Can I guess first?”
“Go ahead, try it.”
“The head of my enemies.”
I roll my eyes. “No. Too gory. And I don’t think I could buy that online.”
“Good point. Okay, you got me… lingerie?”
My lips pinch. “Yes, Saul, I got you lingerie… and I expect you to wear it.”
“It better be frilly and pink. I’ll look fucking good.”
A very weird thrill runs through my chest picturing him in nothing but a pair of frilly pink boxer briefs. I don’t know why I’m turned on right now and it’s definitely something I need to investigate later on.
“No, idiot, will you just let me give you the stupid present?” I clear my throat because I had this whole speech planned and he’s running it. “Okay, listen up. You saved my life. Before you, I felt like every day was going to be my last. My every waking moment was a nightmare of stress and worry. But then I met you, and I really didn’t like you at first even though the sex was good—”